Electric water-filter.



PATENTED SEPT. 24, 1907.

M. A. BRNNON.

ELGTRIO WATER FILTER. l

APPLICATION FILED APR .11, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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III'.

No. 866,618. PATENTED SEPT. 24, 1907.

' M. A. BRANNON. -BLBGTRIG WATER FILTER.

APPLIUATION FILED APB.. 11. 1906.

Uw/Zw@ y jme/i511 No. 866,618. PATENTED SEPT. 24, 1907.

- M. A, ERAN-NON.

RLRGTRIC WATER FILTER.'

APPLICATION FILED APB.. 11. 1906.

UNITED srnfrnsffrnnr OFFICE.

. MELVIN A. BRANNON, GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA.

ELECTRIC WATER-FILTER.

1re-seams.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2.4, 190,7.

Application filed April 11.1906. Serial No. 311,055.

of order and by which all bacteria in the water are gotten ltion of amodified form of the improved filter.

rid of or destroyed and the water thus sterilized through the action ofan electric couple that is not dependent upon any battery or likeexternal source of current.

With these objects in view, the invention consists in the features ofconstruction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter setforth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularlypointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of one form of theimproved filter.- Fig. 2 is a cross section thereof on line 2 2 ofFig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical sec- Fig. 4 is a cross sectionon line 4-4of Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and (i are vertical sections of still furthermodifications. Fig. 7 is a' sectional view on lines 7-7 of Fig. 6. y

The improved filter preferably comprises an upper water-receivingchamber and a lower chamber for the filtered Water. These chambers maybe formed in one vessel or in two separate vessels and are arranged oneabove the otherl for gravity flow of the water from the upper receivingchamber to the lower holding chamber or reservoir. In the forms-shown inFigs. 1 and 2, the chambers are formed by two separate vessels 10 and11, that are preferably formed of stone or glazed pottery and the uppervessel is provided with a depending lip or flange l2 snugly fittingwithin the open' upper end of the lower reservoir 1l. The upper vesselmay be provided with a suitable cover 13 and the lower reservoir orvessel for filtered water is provided with a cock or faucet 14 at oneside of its bottom portion. '.lhc electric couple for the treatment ofthe water is supported in position between the upper and lower vessel sothat the water is co1n polled to pass therethrough by gravity. Thiscouple comprises finely dividedy clcctropositive and negative elementsthat are separated one from the other by a porous filter partition, butare placed in electrical connection by a suitable conductor. Preferably,the positive and negative elements are arranged in or supported upon thelower end of the upper vessel wh ere two vessels are employed.

In the forni shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a filter partition` or disk 15,preferably formed of porous porcelain or like unglazed carthenware, isarranged within the lower end ofthe upper vessel 10 upon a shoulder 16thereof. A second porous porcelain disk 17 is arranged in the uppervessel 10 above the porous disk l5. Disk 17 is separated or spaced apartfrom the disk 15 and both disks'are preferably securely cemented inplace. The negative element preferably consists of zinc fragments orscraps 18 placed upon the upper disk 17. The positive element preferablycomprises copper turnings, filings or scraps 19 arranged between thedisks. Other suitable negative and positive electric elements can beemployed, for example, finely divided pieces of carbon could be used in.place of the copper turnings. The positive and negative elements areplaced in electrical connection by a suitable conductor. Preferably, aseries ol short copper rods 20 are employed that extend through theupper disk 17 or through the cement at its periphery. The projectingends of the rods 20 extend within the zinc fragments and copper turningson opposite sides of the disk or plate 17. In use, the water to befiltered, as with an ordinary filter, is placed in the receiving vessel1() and flows therefrom by gravity through the elements of the electriccouple and through the porous partitions or disks 15 and 17. Thesepartitions or disks are snugly fitted and secured within the vessel 10and compel the passage of water through the elem ents of the electricfilter. Ordinary well and river water, such as is usually employed fordrinking purposes, contain suflicient mineral salt to act upon theelements of the couple and thus generate a flow of current through thewater as it slowly passes from the upper vessel through the disks intothe lower receiving reservoir. Bacteriological tests of water treated inthe improved filter show that all germs are effectively dcstroyed andthe water thus thoroughly sterilized.

'lhe upper reservoir it), in the form shown in Fig. l, is provided,above thc dlectrie couple, with an inwardly projecting shoulder 2l uponwhich may be supported n inet-.il tray 22 having a perforated bottoniand arranged to hold a body of sand 23. 'lhe sand tray is employed inthe filter above the electrical couple where the wat-e1' to be filteredcontains mineral and organic matter.

ln the form shown in Figsu 3 and ei, the lower vessel or reservoir 11 issimilar to that shown in Fig. l, except that it is provided at its upperedge with an annular recess 24 within which the upper vessel 25 extendsThis upper reservoir 25 is formed of galvanized or tinned sheet metaland is provided at its lower end with an inwardly extending flange. 26having an upwardly projecting shoulder 27 and adownwardly projecting lip28, that fits within the open upper end of the lower vessel 11` In thisform, the upper and lower porous partitions or disks 29 and 30 arecarried upon a holder 31 of glazed pottery or stone ware. This holder isarranged within the open bottom of the upper vessel 25 and is providedat its upward end with an outwardly projectiiig flange 32 that restsupon a ring of packing material 33 held in place by the flange 2G andshoulder 27 at the lower portion of the upper vessel 25. The upper disk29 rests upon the shoulder 32 and the lower disk 30 rests upon aninwardly extending flange or shoulder' 34 at the lower end of theholder' 31, 1f desired, the disks may be cemented or otherwise securedto the holder 31. The zinc fragments 18 and copper turnings 19, or othernegative and positive elements, are arranged as beiore upon the upperand lower partitions or disks, and are placed in electrical connection'by a series o copper conducting rods 2O extending through the upper disk29. The upper vessel 25 is preferably conical or tapering toward itslower' end and the sand tray 35 is of sufficient size to fit th'e vesseland be held in place at a point above the electrical couple. In thisform, the parts of the electric couple may be removed from the filter'and cleared and renewed yby boiling. A tight joint is maintained by thepacking 33 between the holder 3l and the body of the vessel so that thewater must pass through the porous disks 29 and 30 through the negativeand positive elements thereon.

In the form shown in Fig. 5, the water-receiving and holding vessels 36and 37 are formed of glazed stoneware or of galvanized or tinned sheetmetal and are mounted upon suitable supports or legs 38 arranged tosupport the receiving vessel 3G above the holding vessel 37. Each of thevessels may be provided with a removable cover 39 andy the lower vesselwith a draw-off cock 40. The electric couple in this forni, is carriedin a separate receptacle or holder 41 that is preferably foi-ined ofglazed porcelain or other liquid tight insulating material. The holder4l. is provided withy inlet and outlet pipes 42 and 43 that areconnected by couplings 44 to nipples 45 and 46 leading respectively fromthe lower end of the upper and into the upper' end of the lower vessel.The porous filter' disks or partitions ,47 and 47/ arearranged centrallywithin the holder or receptacle 4l and the zinc fragments and copper`scraps or filings 48 and 49 are arranged on opposite sides of the disk47 within the holder or receptacle. As before, proper conducting wires50 extend through the disk and electrically connect the positive andnegative elements oi the couple.

In the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the single vessel 51 of glazed.stoneware or pottery is employed. The vessel is provided with asuitable cover 52 and a drawoff cock 53 at its lower end. The side wallol' the vessel 5l is provided with an inwardly projecting flange 54having at its inner edge a lip 5o for supporting the electric yfiltercouple. In this form the porous filter' pai'- titions 57 and 5S aresubstantially cylindrical or inverted cup-shaped aud are fitted onewithin the other as shown. At their lower edges they are cemented in anannular piece 59 ol` glazed porcelain that rests upon4 the annular lip5G of the flange 54. The part 59 may be cemented to the annular flange54 but the filtering couple is preferably removable l'rom the vessel 5land to t'oim a tight joint,l a gasket (i0 oi' rubber or other suitablematerial, is interposed between thc part 59 andthe Hange 54. The copperfilings (il are arranged between the filtering partitions 57 arid 58 andthe `'/.inc fragments (i2 are arranged about the outer filtering pai'-titions 58, being held in place by a suitable guard member (5 3surrounding the filter' partitions. lhe elements of the couple areplaced in electrical connection by the copper' conductors G4 extendingthrough the partition 58. vln this iorm the filtering partitions dividethe vessel 5l into an upper receiving chamber 65 and the lower holdingchamber (3G for filtered water, both being arranged withiirthe vessel.

In the form shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 6, vent openings G7 are providedwith the walls of the vessel leading from the upper end of the lowerchamber, and vent openings 68 are provided leading from the upper' por'-tion of the space between the two filtering partitions. These ventopenings permit the escape of air so as to quicken the filteringaction.Rubber' plugs 69 or other' suitable means are provided for closing 'thevent openings 68 after the space between the filtering partitions isfilled with water, Plugs may also be provided for closing the ventopenings 67 it desired.

In all the forms described, the water is exposed to the electric currentwhile it is passing through the porous filter partition between thepositive and negative elements of the couple. Water passes very slowlythrough the microscopic por'es of the filter partition formed of porousporcelain or like suitable material, so that it is exposed for aconsiderable length of time to the action of the slight currentgenerated. The second porous filter partition also sei'vcs to retard thepassage of ih e water through the field of the couple, and all portionsoi' the water must pass through such field and thus insures thedestruction oi' all germs.`

Tests have shown that the improved filter is particularly efficaciousi'or destroying any typhoid germs that may be present in the water. Thecurrent generated l by the actionotl the electric couple'is notdependent upon any battery or other' source that might readily gct outof order. For this reason, and since. the filter' is of simpleconstruction and comprises few parts, it is particularly adapted fordomestic purposes and for ilse by unskilled persons. With an electriccouple of the sort defined, and particularly when formed as ispreferable, of divided positive and negative elements, will generate alarge number oi' small currents throughout the field occupied by thewater as it passes lslowly through the porous filter disk, so that everyportion oi the filtered water is thoroughly subjected tol thesterilizing action oi' the couple.

It is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the details oi'construction without departure from the essentials of the invention,

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:-

1. An electric writer filter comprising upper and lower., waiterreceiving: and holding chambers arranged one above the other for gravityflow from the ripper' to the lower chamber, and :in electric couple and:i body of filtering material supported in position between saidchambers to compel the passage of water therethrough, said couplecomprisingr electro positive and negative elements insulated from euchother' but directly connected or short cli'cuited :it one or morepoints, whereby current will be generated by' thenlction of the saltcontent of the writer passing through the filter' upon the electropositive and negative elements ot' said couple, substantially asdescribed.

. L'. [n an electric water filter', the 4combination with upper andlower water receiving and holding chambers, :ii-ranged one above theother, of an electric couple comprising divided positive and negativeelements supported in position between said chambers, a por-ouspartition separating the elements :lud an electric conductor directlycondescribed.

3. In an electric water lter, the combination with up- I per and lowerwater receiving and holding' vessels, iltted one upon the other forgravity flow from the upper to the lower vessel, of an electric couplesupported between the -vessels comprising two porous lter disks, finelydivided positive and negative elements arranged respectively on saiddisks and a conductor extending through the upper disk, substantially asdescribed.

4. In an electric water filter, the combination with upper. and lowerwater receiving and holding vessels, fitted one upon the lother forgravity flow fromthe upper to the' lower vessel, of an electric couplesupported between the vessels comprising two porous I'llter disks, zincfragments and copper turnings arranged respectively on said disks, aconductor extending through said upper disk, and a sand tray supportedin said upper vessel above the electric couple, substantially asdescribed.

5. In an electric water iilter, the combination with the upper and lowerwater receiving and holding vessels, fitted one upon the other forgravity flow from the upper receiving vessel to the lower holdingvessel; of an electric couple comprising a holder removably supportedbetweenv said "esseis, t-wo porous disks carried on said holder, dividedpositive and negative elements arranged respectively on said disks and aconductorvextending through the upper disk, substantially as described.g

6. An `electric coupler for water diters comprising linely vdividedpositive and negative elements, a porous partition separatingvsaidelements and an electric conductor directly connecting or shortcircuiting the same, substantially as described.`

7. Anfelectric couple for water iilters comprising zinc 'fragments andcopper Aturnings, a porous iter partition of insulating materialseparating the elements and an electric conductor directly connecting orshort clrcuiting the same,

substantially as described.

'8. An electric water dlter comprising a porous tliter partitionarranged for the passage of water therethrough and an electric 'coupleformed of positive and negative elements that are short circuited ordirectly connected electrically and arranged on opposite sides of saidporous villter partition.

seep-18 9. An electric water filter comprising a porous filter partltionarranged for the passage of water therethrough and an electric coupleformed of divided positive and negative yelements electrically connectedand arranged closely admore points, whereby current will be generated bythe action of the sait content of the water passing through thc filterupon said electro positive and negative elements, substantially asdescribed.

11. An electric water lilter comprising a suitable chamber, a porousfilter partition of unglazed earthenware,. arranged in said chamber tocompel the passage `of water therethrough and an electric couple formedof electro positive andnegative elements arranged respectively adjacentand on opposite sides of saidpartition, said elements being directlyconnected electrically or short clrcuited at one or more points, wherebycurrent will be generated by the action of the salt content of the waterpassing through said partition upon said electro positive and negativeele: ments, substantially as described.

v J 2. An electric water illter comprising upper and lower, wa terreceiving and holding chambers arranged one above theoti1erfor gravityflow from the upper to the lower chamber, a porouslter partition ofunglazed porcelain 'interposed between said chambers' to compel thepassage of water therethrough andan electric couple formed of dividedelectro positive and negative elements arranged` -adjilcent and onopposite sides of said partition but directly connected electrically orshort circulted at one orf more points', whereby current will begenerated by' the action otthe sait content of the water passingthroughv said partition upon said electro positive andnegative elements,substantially as described.

' MELVIN A.`BRANN0N.l

Witnesses:

LILLniN InnN'ricn, KATHAmNE GnnLAcH.

